How Long Does an Accident Stay on Your Record in NY?

Last Updated on September 25, 2026 by James Shaffer

If you have been involved in a car accident in New York, the crash will generally remain on your standard New York DMV driving record for the rest of the calendar year in which it occurred, plus three additional years. For example, a crash that occurs at any point in 2026 would ordinarily remain on the standard abstract through the end of 2029.

That does not necessarily mean the accident will affect your car insurance for exactly the same amount of time. Insurance companies use their own approved rating plans, and New York places restrictions on which accidents can result in a surcharge. It is also important to distinguish the crash itself from any traffic conviction resulting from it, because certain convictions can remain on your DMV record much longer.

How Long Does an Accident Stay on Your New York Driving Record?

According to the New York State DMV, crashes are generally displayed on a standard driving record for the remainder of the calendar year in which the crash happened, plus three additional years.

This means the exact amount of time depends on when during the year the accident occurred. A January accident may be visible for nearly four years, while a December accident may be visible for a little more than three years.

The DMV accident entry can include the crash date, county, case number, and whether the accident involved property damage, injury, or a fatality. Importantly, the DMV states that an accident is listed on the record of every driver involved. The appearance of an accident on a DMV record does not establish that the driver was at fault.

Do Serious Accidents Stay on Your Record Longer?

The crash entry itself generally follows the DMV’s standard retention period described above. The old rule of thumb that a “serious accident” automatically remains on a New York driving record for 10 years is not accurate.

However, an accident can lead to a separate traffic or criminal conviction that remains visible for much longer. For example, New York DMV currently states that DWI convictions are generally displayed for 15 years and DWAI convictions for 10 years. Some particularly serious convictions may remain on the record permanently. This is separate from the accident entry itself. Learn more about how a DUI or DWI can affect car insurance rates.

How Does an Accident Affect Car Insurance Rates?

An accident can affect your premium because insurers consider a driver’s history of accidents and traffic convictions when calculating rates. However, an accident does not automatically result in an insurance surcharge simply because it appears on your DMV record.

The New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) explains that insurers use approved merit-rating plans and that accident surcharges are generally associated with chargeable at-fault accidents. New York law also restricts surcharges in certain situations. For example, an insurer generally cannot surcharge a policy solely because of an accident involving no bodily injury and no more than $2,000 in aggregate property damage, although multiple accidents and other circumstances can affect how the rules apply.

DFS also identifies situations in which an accident generally should not be surchargeable, including certain accidents in which the insured driver was not at fault. Insurer rating plans vary, so the effect of a particular crash will depend on the facts of the accident and the insurer’s approved rules. You can read more about how your driving record affects car insurance rates.

According to New York DFS consumer guidance, accident and conviction surcharges are generally applied during an insurer’s experience period, which is typically three years. This insurance-rating period is separate from the DMV’s rules governing how long an accident appears on a standard driving abstract.

How Can You Lower Your Insurance Costs After an Accident?

If an accident results in a higher premium, there are several legitimate ways to look for savings. The right option depends on your insurer, vehicle, coverage, and financial situation.

Take a DMV-Approved Accident Prevention Course

New York drivers who complete an approved Point and Insurance Reduction Program course can qualify for an insurance reduction. According to the New York DMV, eligible drivers receive a 10% reduction in the base rate of liability, collision, and no-fault premiums for three years.

You can learn more about defensive driving courses in New York and check the DMV’s current list of approved Point and Insurance Reduction Program courses.

The course may also reduce the number of points DMV counts toward certain licensing actions by up to four points, subject to DMV rules. However, completing the course does not erase an accident, conviction, or existing points from the driving record itself. See our guide to New York’s point reduction rules for more information.

Review Available Discounts

Ask your insurer whether you qualify for discounts that are not currently reflected on your policy. Depending on the company and your circumstances, potential savings could include a good student discount, a home and auto discount, vehicle safety discounts, or other insurer-specific programs.

Some insurers also offer accident forgiveness, although eligibility, availability, and the effect on your premium vary by company and policy. If your policy includes it, review the terms carefully to understand how accident forgiveness works.

Consider Your Deductibles

If you carry collision or comprehensive coverage, selecting a higher car insurance deductible can sometimes reduce the premium for that coverage. However, a higher deductible also means you would have to pay more out of pocket after a covered loss, so choose an amount you could reasonably afford.

Compare Quotes

Insurers do not all price the same driver identically. If your current premium has become difficult to afford, comparing quotes from several insurers may help you determine whether another company offers a lower rate for comparable coverage.

Be sure to compare the same limits, deductibles, and optional coverages rather than looking only at the total premium. New York insurance costs depend on many factors, which helps explain why car insurance can be expensive in New York.

Can You Remove an Accident From Your Driving Record?

You generally cannot have an accurately reported accident removed from your standard DMV record simply because you would prefer it not to appear. Instead, the crash should stop appearing on the standard abstract after its normal retention period expires.

If you believe your driving record contains incorrect information, the New York DMV instructs motorists to contact the DMV Call Center. Ordering your own driving record can help you confirm exactly what the DMV currently shows.

A defensive driving course does not delete an accident from the record. Likewise, point reduction through the DMV’s Point and Insurance Reduction Program changes how eligible points are counted for certain purposes; it does not erase the underlying violation from your driving abstract.

How Can You Check Your New York Driving Record?

You can order your own driving record directly from the New York DMV. The DMV offers Standard, Lifetime, and Commercial Driver License abstracts. For most motorists who simply want to see the recent accidents and convictions appearing on their record, the Standard abstract is the most relevant.

A Lifetime abstract is different. It contains information the DMV still has available about the driver even when some of that information is no longer required to appear on the Standard abstract. As a result, an older crash may no longer appear on your Standard record even though DMV still has some historical information about it.

What Should You Do After a Car Accident in New York?

What you do immediately after an accident can affect your safety and your ability to document an insurance claim. If anyone is injured, call 911 and request medical assistance. Move to a safe location when it is possible and lawful to do so.

New York also has specific crash-reporting requirements. According to the DMV’s MV-104 accident report instructions, a crash occurring in New York must be reported when it causes a fatality, personal injury, or more than $1,000 of damage to the property of any one person. When an MV-104 is required, the motorist generally must file it with DMV within 10 days. See our guide on reporting a car accident in New York for additional information.

If you can safely do so, photograph the vehicles, damage, roadway, and surrounding scene. Exchange identifying, vehicle, and insurance information with the other driver, and collect contact information from witnesses when available. Keep repair estimates, receipts, and records of expenses, including relevant medical bills after an accident.

You should also notify your insurance company promptly and follow the reporting requirements in your policy. If you were injured and are seeking New York no-fault benefits, deadlines can be particularly important. New York DFS states that written notice of a no-fault claim generally must be provided within 30 days of the accident, unless there is clear and reasonable justification for a late filing. Health care bills generally must be submitted within 45 days of treatment, while lost earnings claims generally must be submitted within 90 days.

For more information about the claims process, see our guide to filing a car insurance claim after an accident and the New York Department of Financial Services guidance on filing claims.

FAQs on Accidents and New York Driving Records